Three words come to mind when most people think of New York City summers: hazy, hot, and humid. Not me! The three words that I think of before leaving my apartment on a steamy summer day are: freezing subway cars. No matter how hot it is outside, I always need a sweater to relieve my goose-bumped skin as I ride the train, but it has to be light enough to throw in my bag and not weigh me down while walking the crowded, sticky sidewalks.

So I’m calling out the INHABIT basic cotton cardigan as the perfect solution to my commuting woes. The extra long sleeves and button-up closure are just an added bonus. For those of you not subjected to New York City subway car temperatures, the INHABIT cotton cardigan can be the perfect solution for cold offices, breezy summer nights, even the freezer section at supermarkets. Its versatility has no bounds. The best part is, this cardigan is a perfect layering piece when it comes time to break out the cashmere for winter!

It’s almost time to pull that little sundress out of your closet again again! However, with the constant fluctuation in temperature, it becomes difficult to transition your wardrobe from winter to spring.

Personally, I am a huge fan mixing and matching my seasonal wardrobe pieces with each other throughout the entire year – cardigans over sundresses, scarves with t-shirts and sandals with jeans. Cardigans are a cost-effective way to bridge the gap between your winter and spring wardrobes. They come in a variety of shapes, fabrics and colors and are likely to become classic staples for all year long. Not only do they look chic but it also economical in a recession-conscious time to own pieces that will take you throughout the entire year.

We Want to Know – What are your favorite transitional pieces that take your wardrobe from season to season?

With fall settling in, many people are switching over their closets from summer to fall/winter wardrobes. Unfortunately, I keep hearing about the catastrophes that unfold when they pull out their cashmere sweaters. Due to improper storage, their fine cashmere is now covered in moth holes! Yikes! Before you suffer through another fall where you are forced to dispose of your beloved cashmere, please read the following tips below for properly storing these delicate items:

-    Do not store your cashmere in airtight bags. It needs to “breathe.”

-    Do store your garment in a canvas or muslin bag.

-    Be sure to us a moth repellent!

-    Wrap the moth repellent in a sachet in order to avoid staining.

-    If you prefer not to use mothballs, natural forms of moth repellents include cloves, lavender, rosemary, thyme, dried orange peel or cedar.

If you are willing to spend the extra money on cashmere, be sure to take the time for proper storage so that you may enjoy your garment for years to come.

One look that never goes out of style: Layering. Layering is a great way to showcase a unique style while allowing the wearer to add or shed clothes according to changes in body temperature. If done correctly, layering can also add depth to your look with an added touch of sophistication. However, throwing on just any garments and walking out the door will not due. The art of layering with comfort, style, and versatility begins with a good base layer. A good rule of thumb is to start with a base in a lightweight fabric such as the essential cotton tank. Once you have your base layer, you can add a cashmere short sleeve cardigan or a free flowing cashmere thermal cardigan or even a wide strap cotton tank in a different color. Adding too many layers can cause you to look too bulky or stuffed so try to keep layers too a minimum. Finish your look by accessorizing with a cashmere scarf or simple jewelry. Go for the minimalist look when adding accessories so you do not end up looking like you are wearing your entire wardrobe.

Many of us are loyal devotees to our classic cashmere pieces yet we are not really sure of how to take care of them. This fabric often times comes with the faux label of being high-maintenance. Fear not! Cashmere is actually tremendously easy to care for. All that it requires is a little bit of time and a lot of TLC. If you follow these simple guidelines, you can safeguard the longevity of your cashmere while keeping it exceptionally soft:

- In order to avoid staining, wait to put on your cashmere sweater until after your deodorant and lotion have dried.

- Hand-wash only! While cashmere can be dry-cleaned, you run the risk of your garment being destroyed by harsh dry cleaning chemicals.

- Turn your garment inside out then wash in cold water using a gentle detergent or baby shampoo (believe it or not).

- Gently swish the garment around.

- Let the garment soak for 5 minutes, then rinse with cold water

- When finished rinsing, do not wring out your garment! Roll the garment in a towel and gently squeeze the towel removing excess water.

- Lay the garment on a fresh dry towel placed on a flat surface to dry. Make sure the garment is laid out completely flat and straight, exactly how it would look on your body.

- Be sure to button cardigan sweaters when laying out to dry.

- If your cashmere is wrinkled, place a towel over it and press with a cool iron.

- Do not hang the garment up or it could stretch and lose its shape.

- Store the garment on a flat surface like a closet shelf or dresser drawer.

- If you opt for long-term storage, keep garment in an airtight container or garment bag with a moth repellant such as mothballs.